The Comet was disappointed by a recent Delphi school board action that restricts public comments during board discussions. Comments are now allowed only at the beginning of the meeting. One board member said that the board should not have to give way to public comments during the business portion of the meeting because the practice lengthens discussions.

There was some discussion among board members about allowing certain audience members to speak about specific subjects if the board voted on the request. This notion did not make it into the motion to restrict comments and for good reason. To take the time to first nominate someone to speak and then to take a vote about whether to allow that or not would have resulted in more time being spent on nominating and voting.

The corporation already has a two-minute limit on comments, so how much did public comments really lengthen discussions?

According to Steve Key, General Counsel for the Hoosier State Press Association, allowing public comment at regular meetings of governing bodies is an option, not a requirement.

"It's correct stating that under the Open Door Law, the public isn't given a right to speak at meetings of governing bodies," he said. "Indiana Code 5- 14-1.5-3 requires meetings of governing bodies to be open for the purpose of permitting the public 'to observe and record' the meetings."

However, Key added, "The Hoosier State Press Association always encourages governmental units to provide for public comment because citizens often have useful information that could benefit the governing body as it considers a particular issue - information that the board or council members might miss if they fail to listen to those most interested in the subject under discussion."

The Delphi Board of School Trustees, in a quest to streamline meetings, is shutting out potentially valuable information from patrons who may not know at the beginning of the meeting that they have valuable information to share until discussion occurs. By that time it is too late. A decision would have already been made.

The present policy of limiting comments to two minutes is reasonable to keep the meeting moving along. But not allowing comments on discussion when it occurs has more disadvantages than advantages.